Honduran Elections Pull Strong Turnout

TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS — A large number of voters turned out Sunday to cast ballots for president in elections considered a key test for the young democracy, a major U.S. ally in Central America.

It was the second time the country held an election to select a president since the military turned over control of the government in 1982, after 20 years of rule. It was expected to come down to a close race between two conservative candidates.

On the presidential ballot were four candidates from the ruling Liberal Party, three from the National Party and one each from the Christian Democrats and the Party of Innovation and Unity.

The winner will be the candidate who receives the most votes in the party that garners the largest ballot count, the National Electoral Tribunal announced Sunday to end a dispute over the rules.

Polls and observers predicted a close race between National Party candidate Rafael Leonardo Callejas, 42, and Liberal Party contender Jose Azcona, 58, who ran against the wishes of party leaders.

Headed by outgoing President Roberto Suazo Cordova, the Liberal Party leadership selected Oscar Mejia Arellano, 66, who trails Callejas and Azcona in the polls.

''If he Mejia Arellano wins, he is going to win by force,'' said Francisco Balnegas, a Honduran who served as a U.S. merchant seaman. But Balnegas said he did not foresee election fraud or violence.

''These elections are more peaceful than ones before,'' he said.

The three main contenders, all right-of-center politicians, had not called for change in the course of the country and have pledged to maintain close ties with the United States and support for Nicaraguan rebels, who have base camps in Honduras in their fight to overthrow Nicaragua's leftist Sandinista government.

The country plays a strategic role in U.S. Central American policy. The outgoing government established close ties with the United States and has given the military a decisive role in setting national policy.